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Wendy Leighton-Porter

The Shadow of the Trojan Horse

Synopsis

The Trojan War is just a game for the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece, but it's no laughing matter for Joe and Jemima Lancelot when they find themselves transported back to ancient Troy amidst all the horrors of the deadly conflict. Still on the trail of their missing parents who are lost somewhere in the mists of time, the twins, together with their friend Charlie and their remarkable talking cat Max, try to prevent the destruction of the famous city. Can the children persuade the Trojans to reject the Greeks' gift of the Wooden Horse or will it prove impossible to change the course of history?

Author Biography

A former teacher of French, Latin and Classical studies, I’ve now escaped from the classroom and spend my time writing books for children instead.
The Shadow of Atlantis is the first in a series of time-travel adventures, featuring 3 children and a rather remarkable Tonkinese cat. I'm currently working on the eighth book, The Shadow of the Two Princes, featuring King Richard the Third and the princes in the Tower. Recently I’ve also added a couple of short stories, Max's Arabian Adventure and Max's Christmas Adventure, both of which are spin-offs from the SHADOWS FROM THE PAST series, featuring Max the Tonkinese cat on special solo missions of his own.
As I take my young readers on a magical mystery tour through the past, I'm hoping that my love of history, myth and legend will rub off on them too. Personally, I'm enjoying the journey so much I never want it to end. Why not come along with me for the ride?
www.wendy-leighton-porter.com
www.adventurequestbooks.com

Author Insight

Max's mission goes horribly wrong

Disguised as the god Hermes, complete with little wings on each paw, Max had been sent on an important mission into the Greek camp. His job was to convince the enemy to abandon the war, leave Troy and return home. He'd almost succeeded, but made the fatal error of falling asleep while the Greek army was packing up their camp. As he tries to sneak away, disaster strikes ...

Book Excerpt

The Shadow of the Trojan Horse

The sun was now high in the sky and the temperature was rising rapidly, as Max made his way towards the edge of the camp. He hoped that the Greeks would be too busy to notice him and he hastily set off towards the dusty plain which separated the camp from the towering walls of the city.

He had almost made it to open ground when a shout stopped him in his tracks.

Max froze, hardly daring to breathe. What on earth was going on? He turned round slowly and spotted one of the Greeks bending down to pick something up off the ground. To his horror, Max saw the problem; behind him lay a trail of white feathers. He glanced quickly down at his feet and was aghast to see that there were virtually no feathers left on his ankles. His wings were slowly dropping off. The wax which had attached them to his paws was obviously melting in the heat of the sun.

Max paused for a moment, before deciding he should make a run for it. His indecision had cost him precious time, however, and he heard the warrior shout to two other soldiers standing nearby.

‘Stop that cat!’

As Max broke into a run, he was leapt upon by the two men and was dragged down to the ground, struggling and kicking with his, now wingless, back feet. He immediately became aware of a dark shadow looming over him and looked up fearfully at the menacing form of King Agamemnon who was glaring angrily back down at him.

‘So, Lord Hermes, you seem to be having a few problems with your wings,’ sneered the Greek king, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

‘Enough,’ snarled Agamemnon. ‘Tie him up and have him taken to my tent. Well spotted, Odysseus,’ he said, turning to the warrior who was still gathering up the feathers from the ground. ‘You come along as well. You can help me interrogate this foul creature.’

Max’s bravery deserted him at that moment. He hoped this “interrogation” wasn’t going to involve torture. There was no way he could cope with that. Oh why on earth hadn’t he gone straight back when he’d had the chance? It wasn’t such fun being a god now, was it? He was furious with himself, partly for getting caught, but even more so because he realised he’d now wrecked their plan which had been on the verge of working. ‘Stupid, stupid cat,’ he muttered under his breath, as his legs were tied up with leather cords.